Waterlogging due to natural causes

GEORGE TOWN: The inability for flood waters to recede in central Seberang Perai has nothing to do with the assets of the Penang Water Authority (PBA).

PBA chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said flood waters had remained stagnant because the Sungai Muda had breached its embankment, and high tides at sea was also preventing river water from flowing out. The record rainfall in Penang, Kedah and Perak was also a factor.

He said all three dams in the state are functioning well despite the record rainfall, and there were no signs of seepage or intentional release of water.

A Drainage and Irrigation Department pump house was also swept away near Bukit Mertajam, making it difficult to remove excess water in the area, he said.

He also dismissed speculation that the Mengkuang Dam in Bukit Mertajam had discharged water, saying it was only 20% full.

As of 5pm, the online portal of the national disaster coordination centre revealed that there were 5,031 people still housed at 41 relief centres, 4,589 in Penang and 442 in Kedah.

On another issue, the Health DirectorGeneral Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there is adequate supply of medicine.

Northeast district police head Asst Comm Anuar Omar said with the weather conditions improving, the police expect more people to return home soon.